Podcast Videos

Construction isn’t getting slower because of labor shortages—it’s getting slower because we’re solving the wrong problems. Every day, teams are busy fixing issues, managing rework, and pushing projects forward. But most of that effort is spent reacting to symptoms instead of addressing the root cause. In this Activating Curiosity™ conversation, Ryan Ware sits down with Wayne Larson, CEO of PT Blink, to explore why construction productivity is declining—and what needs to change to reverse it. Why construction is less productive today than it was 100 years ago How rework, waste, and fragmentation quietly drive cost and delays Why the “labor shortage” narrative is missing the bigger issue How time—not cost—is the most undervalued factor in construction What Design Manufacturing Integration (DMI) unlocks across the industry How prefabrication and kit-of-parts approaches change project delivery If you’re leading change in the construction industry and feel stuck in constant firefightin…

Construction and AEC leaders — what if the biggest risk isn't changing too fast, but changing too slowly? In this clip, Allison Dring names the paradox at the center of the construction industry: there is massive demand for sustainable materials, driven by policy, ESG expectations, and market pressure. Yet the industry continues to rely on the same traditional materials — many of which carry significant embodied carbon. Here's what makes this a paradox, not just a challenge: → Demand for sustainable materials is growing — policy, permits, and market expectations are all pushing in one direction → But the materials going into buildings right now still carry high upfront carbon emissions → Those emissions are embodied — locked in from the moment construction begins. You can't reverse them later with better operations or efficiency upgrades → The timeline doesn't allow for a wait-and-see approach — by the time you "get around to it," the carbon budget is already spent And here's the r…

Construction and AEC leaders — every building being designed today is already overpriced. Not because of materials. Not because of labor rates. Because of how the project was set up before ground was ever broken. In this clip from a recent Activating Curiosity episode with Wayne Larsen of PT Blink, Host Ryan Ware explains that the industry is paying for inefficiencies it doesn't have to — starting with design decisions, delivery models, and construction methods that haven't evolved. Here's what's driving the overpayment: → Design happens in isolation — the people who build it aren't involved early enough, so the design creates inefficiencies that get baked in → Delivery models are outdated — the methodology used to get from design to construction hasn't changed to match what's now possible → Construction methods are default, not deliberate — whether it's kit of parts, volumetric, or another approach, the method should be chosen, not assumed And here's the shift Ryan points to: the …

Construction and AEC leaders — Sustainable buildings are no longer a premium. They're a requirement. In major markets, if your building isn't sustainable, it doesn't get rented. But here's the problem: the certification systems meant to support green construction aren't built for speed or innovation — and that gap is costing the industry real opportunity. Allison Dring, CEO of Made of Air, breaks down exactly what's blocking sustainable buildings from going mainstream — and what needs to change. 🎙️ From the Activating Curiosity™ podcast — where AEC & construction leaders learn to lead change with clarity and confidence. 🔔 Subscribe for weekly insights on construction leadership, change management, and the future of the built environment.

Construction and AEC leaders — what if the standard toolkit of building materials is missing an entire category? In this clip, Allison Dring explains that the construction industry has operated with the same core materials for over a century — concrete, wood, steel. But a new category is emerging: biochar composites — a permanent form of carbon that can be integrated directly into building components. Here's what that means in practice: → Roofing materials that store carbon instead of just covering a building → Insulation that locks carbon away for the life of the structure → Window frames, flooring, and wall panels that make the building an active participant in carbon storage — not just a passive emitter This isn't about replacing concrete or steel. It's about adding a new material category that sits alongside them — one where the building itself becomes part of the carbon solution. The more carbon stored in the building, the more active that building is in reversing …

Construction and AEC leaders — Sustainable buildings are no longer just a premium; they are a necessity for renting properties, especially in major European cities. This shift presents a significant market opportunity within sustainable real estate, despite challenges like expensive and misaligned green building certification processes. The discussion highlights the need for processes that are more aligned with eco friendly products and green construction practices.🌱 In this clip from Activating Curiosity™, Allison Dring shares the reality shaping the construction industry today: The demand for sustainable buildings is real—and growing. But the systems meant to support innovation—certification, adoption, and cost structures—aren’t built for speed. So even when the industry is ready to change… It struggles to follow through. This is the gap between demand and delivery—and where real transformation needs to happen. 🔗 Full podcast + episodes: https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/ep…

Buildings don’t just produce carbon—they can store it. The construction industry contributes nearly 40% of global emissions, largely driven by the materials we use. But what if buildings could reverse that impact instead of adding to it? In this Activating Curiosity™ conversation, Ryan Ware sits down with Allison Dring, CEO and Co-Founder of Made of Air, to explore how biochar and carbon-negative materials are redefining what’s possible in the built environment. Why materials—not just operations—are the biggest driver of emissions How biochar turns buildings into long-term carbon storage systems Why the construction industry struggles to adopt new materials How certification, supply chains, and risk slow innovation Why sustainable buildings are becoming a market requirement—not a premium How leaders can move innovation forward despite resistance If you’re leading change in the construction industry, this episode will challenge how you think about materials, sustainability, and you…

Construction and AEC leaders — the 40-hour workweek wasn't designed for how projects actually move. So why are we still measuring work by hours? In this clip, Erin Fantozz — who works primarily with architectural firms — challenges one of AEC's most entrenched assumptions: that 40 hours is the default measure of productivity. For many architecture and design professionals, especially early in their careers, the question "Do I really need to work these 40 hours?" never even gets asked — because the culture makes it feel non-negotiable. Erin calls it what it is: an arbitrary, old-school mentality. And while this conversation spans the full AEC industry, it hits architecture firms especially hard because: → Firm billing models are built on hourly rates — challenging the 40-hour week means challenging how firms make money → Project timelines in design don't follow a 40-hour rhythm — they accelerate during deadlines and pause during approvals → The talent sustainability crisis in …

Construction and AEC leaders — at some point, the conversation shifts. It's no longer about work-life balance. It's about sustainability. In this clip, Erin Fantozz shares a moment many AEC professionals experience but rarely say out loud: sitting across from your firm and saying, "This is not sustainable for me and my family." Her commute was an hour each way. She had to make the choice to bring her personal situation to her firm — something many AEC cultures discourage. But here's what happened next: her firm didn't push back. They said, "We don't want to lose you again — what can we do together to make this work?" That response is the difference between a firm that retains talent and one that loses it: → The threshold moment: when a professional decides to speak up instead of quietly leaving → The firm's reaction: collaboration, not resistance — "What can we do together?" → The real issue isn't long hours or commuting — it's how work is designed and whether expectation…

Efficiency isn’t about working more hours—it’s about how work is structured in the first place. That’s where many AEC firms are getting stuck. Not because of effort, but because the traditional work model—built on billable hours, rigid workflows, and in-office expectations—is creating friction, limiting performance, and constraining people. In this Activating Curiosity™ conversation, Ryan Ware sits down with Erin Fantozz, founder of EF Designs, to explore how rethinking the structure of work can unlock better outcomes across architecture, engineering, and construction teams. They challenge the notion of a staffing shortage in the AEC industry, reframing it as a work model problem. Traditional approaches create inefficiencies and underutilize talent, impacting project performance and individual personal growth. We explore how aligning flexible, high-skill talent to projects, rather than businesses, improves how work gets done and fosters a more effective mindset. Why the 40-hour wor…